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Sally's Bones
2 Months, 28 Days, 9 Hours, and 12 minutes earlier...
Sally Simplesmith's life changed forever. She came face-to-face with death - a delightful, dearly departed little dog she lovingly calls Bones. But when the cadaverous canine is accused of a crime he didn't commit, Sally decides to solve the case herself!
Does Sally have what it takes to fetch a thief?
Sally's Bones is the impossibly possible tale of a girl, a crime, and a lovably lifeless, decidedly dead dog.
Sally Simplesmith's life changed forever. She came face-to-face with death - a delightful, dearly departed little dog she lovingly calls Bones. But when the cadaverous canine is accused of a crime he didn't commit, Sally decides to solve the case herself!
Does Sally have what it takes to fetch a thief?
Sally's Bones is the impossibly possible tale of a girl, a crime, and a lovably lifeless, decidedly dead dog.
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 4, 2011
It’s really hard not to love a cute little dog. It’s even really hard not to love a cute little dog when that dog happens to be a skeleton, as Bones is. But I loved him just as much as Sally Simplesmith comes to love him and it’s because author MacKenzie Cadenhead makes him incredibly loveable. Middle grade readers will adore Sally’s precocious new pet and will be eager to see justice for pooch.
Sally’s Bones is a little darker than some MG books because it focuses on a dead pooch that appears after Sally begs her mother’s gravesite for her own death. Sally’s a lonely, isolated girl who misses her mother more than anything else and even if readers can’t relate to that precise feeling, they’ll be able to empathize and understand Sally’s emotions.
Sally’s story is more complicated than just having a dead dog. There’s Viola Vanderperfect – Sally’s once friend and now middle-school dominating nemesis, some threatening letters, and a dog catcher that’s determined to pull Bones apart and give his bits and pieces to the neighborhood dogs that are missing their favorite meatless treats. So life for Sally goes from boring and mundane to extraordinary, all in the blink of an eye.
All in all, Sally’s Bones is an entertaining and delightful book that will keep readers guessing with the mystery and keep them glued to the pages by Sally and Bones’ friendship. There’s love, family, and a lot of whodunit. Readers of all ages will enjoy this slightly morbid tale and come to care for the skeletal pup and the girl who loves him regardless.
Sally’s Bones is a little darker than some MG books because it focuses on a dead pooch that appears after Sally begs her mother’s gravesite for her own death. Sally’s a lonely, isolated girl who misses her mother more than anything else and even if readers can’t relate to that precise feeling, they’ll be able to empathize and understand Sally’s emotions.
Sally’s story is more complicated than just having a dead dog. There’s Viola Vanderperfect – Sally’s once friend and now middle-school dominating nemesis, some threatening letters, and a dog catcher that’s determined to pull Bones apart and give his bits and pieces to the neighborhood dogs that are missing their favorite meatless treats. So life for Sally goes from boring and mundane to extraordinary, all in the blink of an eye.
All in all, Sally’s Bones is an entertaining and delightful book that will keep readers guessing with the mystery and keep them glued to the pages by Sally and Bones’ friendship. There’s love, family, and a lot of whodunit. Readers of all ages will enjoy this slightly morbid tale and come to care for the skeletal pup and the girl who loves him regardless.
September 6, 2011
Overall, I thought Sally's Bones was a very sweet story. Sally is a young girl who is understandably very upset and sad after the death of her mother. She asks for help and she seems to get it - in the form of a skeleton puppy she names Bones. Bones would do anything for her and the two become inseparable. And of course, trouble soon follows.
Have to say, for a middle grade (ages 9+) book, I found the beginning of Sally's Bones a little harsh and dark. I know a few young readers who do not enjoy books involving death in any form and I wouldn't be able to recommend this one to them for that reason. However, at the heart of the story is a very sweet girl with a wonderful family who learns about the power of love.
Even as a skeleton, it was hard not to see Bones as the supper cute puppy he is. Nothing creepy about him at all. Sally loves him so much and when the town and even Sally's father turn against him, Sally stops at nothing to clear his name.
The villains in this story were pretty spot on - the rich, pretty, mean girl Viola and her jealous mother were perfect and I loved how things played out in the end. Not giving it away - read it for yourself!
Sally's Bones, although perhaps a bit macabre, holds a loving message about family and I think young readers will really enjoy. As with most books for the younger crowd, I encourage you to read this one for yourself before passing it on but I think you'll enjoy it as much as the children in your life will.
I know I'll be keeping my copy to pass on to my little one in a few years. MacKenzie has done an excellent job creating mystery and suspense with characters I dare you not to fall in love with. As a debut, Sally's Bones is wonderful and I'm sure to be on the lookout for more from MacKenzie in the future.
Have to say, for a middle grade (ages 9+) book, I found the beginning of Sally's Bones a little harsh and dark. I know a few young readers who do not enjoy books involving death in any form and I wouldn't be able to recommend this one to them for that reason. However, at the heart of the story is a very sweet girl with a wonderful family who learns about the power of love.
Even as a skeleton, it was hard not to see Bones as the supper cute puppy he is. Nothing creepy about him at all. Sally loves him so much and when the town and even Sally's father turn against him, Sally stops at nothing to clear his name.
The villains in this story were pretty spot on - the rich, pretty, mean girl Viola and her jealous mother were perfect and I loved how things played out in the end. Not giving it away - read it for yourself!
Sally's Bones, although perhaps a bit macabre, holds a loving message about family and I think young readers will really enjoy. As with most books for the younger crowd, I encourage you to read this one for yourself before passing it on but I think you'll enjoy it as much as the children in your life will.
I know I'll be keeping my copy to pass on to my little one in a few years. MacKenzie has done an excellent job creating mystery and suspense with characters I dare you not to fall in love with. As a debut, Sally's Bones is wonderful and I'm sure to be on the lookout for more from MacKenzie in the future.
September 26, 2014
I really loved this book. This book was very accurate because bullying happens everyday to innocent souls. People of all ages judge people by the way they look. This book is very good because your emotions really kick in and you feel bad and you pick sides. All I can say is this book was a page- turner!
December 30, 2022
Middle schooler Sally Simplesmith goes about her day unnoticed, both at school and at home by her absent-minded workaholic father. To make life more challenging Sally greatly misses her recently deceased mother. Sally is ready to give up and melodramatically asks for death upon her mother's grave. Instead, Sally finds a much needed friend and companion in a tail-wagging pooch made from bones. Life begin changing for Sally, but her new found happiness is put to the test when her pet is accused of a recent crime spree. Cadenhead creates an interesting character in Sally and does a fine job addressing the issues of grief and loneliness.
February 11, 2019
My original hesitation was squashed as I got further into the book and invested in the story.
While it was beyond silly, it was a mystery I was curious to solve.
While the villain may seem obvious, it is probably just as apparent who the real villain is once you realize it.
However, I feel like how it was dealt with at the end was a bit far fetched. (Bad dog pun, anyone?)
This story was actually really good and got me right in the feels more than once.
While it was beyond silly, it was a mystery I was curious to solve.
While the villain may seem obvious, it is probably just as apparent who the real villain is once you realize it.
However, I feel like how it was dealt with at the end was a bit far fetched. (Bad dog pun, anyone?)
This story was actually really good and got me right in the feels more than once.
October 21, 2020
This book has been on my shelf for a long time. It has some lovely twists and shows that not everyone are what they seem. It deal with parental death, friendship, mean girls, and learning to stand up for yourself all tied into a mystery. It is a tad ghoulish as her new pet is a dead dog, all bones. Cadenhead has a gift for language as well. Great read !
October 25, 2019
Super cute. My kids really enjoyed this story and laughed out loud quite often. There were a lot of puns and play-on-words that they didn't get but did make me chuckle.
October 17, 2011
A tale about a girl grieving her mother and trying to find herself in the world, Sally's Bones is a delightful read.
I found the idea of Sally's mother sending her a gift from the grave - Bones - an intriguing one with an important lesson. Even when those we love pass on, they are always with us.
While I found Sally's character to be endearing, there were others in the book that were not. What the author has done is shown a realistic portrayal of the cruelties of childhood while also showcasing bonds that are unbreakable.
I highly recommend this book to enjoyers of The Graveyard Book, any child coping with the loss of a parent, and any reader is who has a passion for children's lit.
I found the idea of Sally's mother sending her a gift from the grave - Bones - an intriguing one with an important lesson. Even when those we love pass on, they are always with us.
While I found Sally's character to be endearing, there were others in the book that were not. What the author has done is shown a realistic portrayal of the cruelties of childhood while also showcasing bonds that are unbreakable.
I highly recommend this book to enjoyers of The Graveyard Book, any child coping with the loss of a parent, and any reader is who has a passion for children's lit.
January 6, 2012
Sweet and, dare I say, cute with just a touch of dark. I could very easily see a Tim Burton adaptation of this book. A slightly spooky mystery that talks about confidence, self-acceptance and prejudice.
January 30, 2012
A quick and cute read for middle grade readers. Probably appropriate for younger readers, although it takes a darker turn at the opening. But, all in all, this one is probably too young in tone for readers above grade five.
March 27, 2012
This book was adorable. It had enough twists, turns, and puns to keep me interested throughout, in addition to being sweet and having a good ending. I quite enjoyed it and it makes for a good one-evening read for adults or a great, fairly light story about grief and trying to fit in.
July 5, 2013
Super book - fun and funny
November 19, 2011
This is a great books for kids that can be enjoyed by adults! And Bones is adorable!!
April 7, 2017
Quick, cute read!
So fun! Lovely writing and exciting storyline. Children will love reading it. Great characters, especially Bones, an adorable deceased dog!
So fun! Lovely writing and exciting storyline. Children will love reading it. Great characters, especially Bones, an adorable deceased dog!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews